Political barriers prevent Iran’s WTO accession

Iran's position towards joining World Trade Organization (WTO) has not changed, the chief of Iranian presidential staff Mohammad Nahavandian said.

Nahavandian, who is also former head of Iran's WTO commission, said that international sanctions and political barriers prevented Iran to join the organization, the country's Moj news agency reported on July 26.

He defended Iran's decision on joining the WTO, calling it "a professional decision" which followed in recent years by the country's administrations.

Nahavandian expressed the hope that President Rouhani's active diplomacy would overcome all barriers on Iran's path towards the WTO.

Iranian officials have reiterated repeatedly that the government eyes to join the World Trade Organization.

Last January the head of the Iranian Institute for Trade Studies and Research, Mehdi Fathollah said that joining the WTO is among the top priorities of Iran's Industry, Mine, and Trade Ministry.

However, he remarked that the sanctions imposed on Iran are an obstacle for the country and Iran needs to solve the problem before joining the WTO.

Mohammad Reza Sabzalipour, Head of Iran's World Trade Center, said in December that Iran will not benefit from the world trade profits, unless it joins the organization.

"The world powers and 159 member-states of WTO will not consider Iran as a reliable partner. I believe that it's nearly impossible for Tehran to join the organization in the next 10 years," Sabzalipour said.